Indoor Safety

Indoor Safety

Remembering to keep electrical safety in mind when indoors is critical, espcially during storms. A little preparation can go a long way. Keep these tips in mind:

Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) in bathroom outlets and other similar areas to guard against electrical shocks.

Protect electronic equipment and appliances by using surge protectors or unplugging valuable electronics.

Cover unused electrical outlets with plain caps/covers to discourage children from playing with or plugging anything into an electrical outlet.

Avoid using plugged-in appliances, such as a hair dryer, when standing on a damp floor or in a wet bathtub or shower.

Unplug appliances before making repairs to them.

Check for frayed or damaged electrical cords and never staple or nail them in place.

Avoid overloading an outlet or circuit in your home, such as with holiday lights.

Learn how to replace a blown fuse or reset a tripped breaker if you have a fuse box or circuit breaker. For fused circuits, try to keep a supply of extra fuses handy and never try to override a blown fuse, which can cause electrical damage or a fire.

Exercise extreme caution if using candles during a power outage. Keep lit candles away from flammable objects and never leave them unattended.

Keep an emergency storm kit handy with a flashlight, extra batteries, a battery-powered radio and bottled water.

Charge any mobile devices or tablets if a storm is approaching and have them on standby.